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About Bondi Beach

Bondi Beach Vista

The closest ocean beach to the centre of Sydney (7km), Bondi Beach has become synonymous with Sydney's beach lifestyle and is very popular with tourists, daytrippers, backpackers, residents and all Sydneysiders.

Bondi has become a favourite of the "barmy army" of British tourists, who annually gather on its sands for a Southern Hemisphere Christmas in the sun.Bondi is home to numerous youth hostels with backpackers who congregate mainly in the summer months. It is not uncommon to hear Norwegian, Portuguese, French, German, Dutch, Swedish, Danish or Spanish while walking across the beach or through the cafes.

Bondi Beach is a very welcoming and tolerant community; topless sunbathing is acceptable and gay and lesbian couples displaying affection can be seen.

Surfing at Bondi Beach

Sporty Lifestyle at Bondi Beach

Bondi Beach Panorama

Get In

Don't confuse Bondi Junction and Bondi Beach. Getting to Bondi Junction may be the closest rail station to the beach but is still 3 km from it.

Although there are direct buses from the city centre to the beach, you will save about 30 minutes by taking the train and bus as opposed to bus only. Unless you have a MyMulti period ticket (which is recommended), there are rail tickets to "Bondi Beach" which include the bus.

From the city centre

From Central station, take a suburban train on the Eastern Suburbs and Illawarra line (stopping on track 24) bound for Bondi Junction and get off at the terminus. The train runs every 10 minutes during off-peak and every 5 minutes during peak; it also stops at Town Hall, among others. At Bondi Junction, get to the A3 stand of the connecting bus terminal and hop on the 333 (or the slightly slower 380 or 389) bus which connects with the suburban trains. After about 10 minutes get off at Campbell Pde Nr Hall St and the beach will be on your right. The total travel time is 28 minutes from Central and as little as 25 minutes from Town Hall.

For more information see the transport infoline [3] (there is no such stop as Bondi Beach, and Campbell Pde Nr Hall St is your best bet).

From Sydney Airport

In this case your best bet is taking a suburban train on the Airport & East Hills Line bound for either Revesby or Macarthur, and get off at the next stop, Wolli Creek, and change there for an Eastern Suburbs and Illawarra line train to Bondi Junction and finally the 333 (or the slightly slower 380 or 389) bus to Campbell Pde Nr Hall St. Travel time from the airport is 47 minutes.

Taxi Service

There’s a taxi stand outside the train station at Bondi Junction. Cost is about $5-10 depending on traffic. City to/from Bondi Beach is about $20-30. The airport, about 14km away, is about $35-45 for a 20-30min trip. Try [4] or call 133 300 or their iPhone app mTaxi.

See

See the crowds, the waves, the water, the sand, the sunbathers, the teenagers showing off, the tourists with long socks and shoes straight off the tour coach next to the skimpily clad sunbathers. It is all part of the Bondi Beach Scene.

If you see past the crowds, the beach itself is actually naturally scenic, and there is a esplanade running along the beach front and along to the rocks either side.

There are often displays in the historic Bondi Pavilion. Usually free, it is worth a quick look around.

Do

Swim. There are two sets of flags at the centre and at the north of the beach. Bondi Beach is a fantastic place cool off in the summer. There are change rooms and showers in the pavilion, access if free. There are lockers for hire.

Walk on the coastal walk (at the bottom of Notts Avenue, off Campbell Parade) to Tamarama , Bronte , Coogee and eventually Maroubra. Surely one of Sydney's most popular, spectacular and accessible walks. No shortage of places to stop off for a coffee or a cool drink along the way.

Surf. The southern end of the beach is reserved for surfers. There are surf schools like Let's Go Surfing[6] or you can rent surf boards and body boards, as well as wetsuits. A cheaper option (although a bit further away from the beach) is Sydney Surfboard Rental and Hire[7].

Bondi Icebergs[8] - A popular rock swimming pool with restaurant and bar facilities upstairs that look over the entire beach. It is named for the brave swimmers who compete here in the winter months. Opening hours: M-F: 6AM-7PM, Sa-Su: 6.30AM - 6.30PM. Entry $4 Adults/$2.50 Children/Seniors. Many other Sydney beaches have rock pools with no charge for access.

Scuba Dive at North Bondi. Meet the protected Blue Groper and visit the Cathedral Cave. Rent scuba gear from Dive Bondi [9] at 198 Bondi Rd. PADI [10] dive certification is available: Open Water is $425, Advanced Open Water is $375.

Beautiful Bondi Beach. Is renowned the world over for its sands and surf. It serves as a modern and trendy coastal resort, which is extremely popular. Bondi has several cafés and restaurants. These overlook the beach and make a wonderful place to stay and visit.

Events

The Festival of the Winds[11]- an annual kite-flying Festival in September.

North Bondi Surf Classic[12] Held each year a 2k swimming race for people of all ages.

Sculpture by the Sea[13]- An annual outdoor display of sculpture (over 100 separate works) distributed along the Bondi to Tamarama coastal walk (begins at the bottom of Notts Avenue, off Campbell Parade). Free.

Christmas. Bondi Beach is the traditional Christmas Day destination for backpackers for a Christmas Day "family" gathering for those whose real family is overseas. Alcohol is not allowed on the beach or in the water. The pubs are closed.

Eat

Bondi is a food lover's delight. There are countless cafes and restaurants on the streets around the beach, many with great views. If you're looking for something quick and easy, there are kiosks on the beach, and a cafe in the pavilion with plenty of tables on the wide promenade. Unless you are planning a Saturday or Friday night out, there is usually no need to book in advance. Just walk around and find somewhere you like, or grab fish and chips and eat on the beach.

Pompei's, 126 Roscoe Street, ph 02 9365 1233. A bit pricey, but the gelato is rich, creamy, and absolutely die for. They also serve authentic Italian pizza. Go during the day to avoid the crowds, which are a nightmare at night.

Harry's Espresso Bar, 136 Wairoa Avenue, ph 02 9310 2180. This tiny combined espresso bar, cafe and general store is a little out of the way, but is always busy, and for good reason. This is the place to go for a gourmet coffee experience. Harry's offers toast and sandwiches, and a selection of pastries and cakes. Located off Campbell Pde at the northern end of the beach, past the school.

Gelato Bar Café Restaurant, 140 Campbell Parade, ph 02 9130 4033. Gelato Bar is one of the oldest places in Bondi and has built up a reputation over 40 years. They specialise in strudels, tortes, slices, crepes, and of course, gelato. For dinner, the food is European fare including Schnitzel, Beef Stroganoff, Goulash and Roast Duck ... and of course, you can get your fish and chip fix. The restaurant overlooks the beachfront.

Buy

Markets

Bondi Beach Markets, every Su 9AM-3PM in the grounds of Bondi Beach Public School, (Campbell Parade, one block north of the main shopping centre).

Drink

It is quite possible to go to Bondi Beach on a sunny Sunday afternoon, and not bother with any of that sand or water. The two biggest bars in Bondi are the Beach Road Hotel and Bondi Hotel. Both are excellent places to catch the finals in a cricket match or have a few drinks with your mates. Another great bar is at the previously mentioned Bondi Icebergs, it has a great view of the beach and relatively cheap drinks. Make sure to take some form of ID that proves you live outside a 5km radius as this is a club and the rule require that you be a member if you are inside 5km.

Of course, if you want to be "seen" then go for Ravesis on the corner of Hall St and Campbell parade. It attracts the beautiful people.. or at least those who think they are beautiful.

Noah’s Bondi Beach is a Bondi landmark
Located on Campbell Parade, overlooking the picturesque Bondi Beach. Noah’s is within metres of the beach, public transport, restaurants, cafés and shops, and a stumbling distance to Bondi’s many great bars and pubs. Bondi Beach is only 15 minutes from Sydney CBD and 25 minutes from Sydney airport.

Contact

Get out

Congratulations on making it to the world famous Bondi Beach. Time now to discover some of Sydney's other fantastic but lesser known beaches up and down the Sydney coast. Each has its own character. Try the other Eastern Suburbs beaches, some within walking distance. Cronulla Beach is just over the Georges River further south. Sydney's Northern Beaches stretching north from Manly to Palm Beach.

This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!